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St. Ignatius Mission in Boca Raton Celebrates First Anniversary and Metropolitan Philip's 80th Birthday

Sun... beach... palm trees... mansions... yachts... Rolls Royces... Rolex… Gucci... Versacci…this is Boca Raton, Florida.

The Divine Liturgy celebrated every Sunday at 10am on a huge college campus… this is the Mission of St. Ignatius of Antioch in Boca Raton, Florida.    

The Mission of St. Ignatius of Antioch is based on Florida Atlantic University (FAU) on Glades Road in Boca Raton, Florida.  FAU is a University which boasts over 28,000 students.  St. Ignatius Boca at FAU may be the first Antiochian Orthodox Christian ministry ever established to serve upon a college campus in the history of this great Archdiocese.  This Orthodox mission maintains unlimited growth potential where the hope is “to bring America home to Orthodoxy!”

St. Ignatius Boca at FAU averages approximately 80 souls per Liturgy, with great focus upon young families. Attendance at the Antiochian Village is a must! 75% of our membership maintains membership in the national Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch; we strive to reach 100%. Thankfully, St. Ignatius Boca at FAU maintains strong financials, carries zero long-term or short term debt, and is poised (God-willing) to purchase a building within the next year!  

This past year, St. Ignatius Boca at FAU was blessed to host His Grace Bishop Antoun to celebrate our patronal feast day of December 20th.  More than 150 celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and attended an over-sold banquet sponsored on his behalf. 

During the weekend of March 5th, 2011, St. Ignatius Boca at FAU was blessed to receive His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip. Many esteemed

members of the Archdiocesan Board of Trustees were present to celebrate our milestone one-year Anniversary, and the glorious 80th Birthday of our Metropolitan Philip.  A Saturday evening formal was held at the prestigious Tower Club atop the Regions Bank Building, some 27 stories above the shining lights of beautiful Fort Lauderdale Beach.  The National Chairman of The Order of St. Ignatius, Mr. Dan Abraham, addressed a standing room only gathering to deliver a heart-warming invitation to join a most note-worthy organization.  The next morning, a capacity crowd gathered to celebrate the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with His Eminence, and the Very Rev. Fr. George Rados at the Ballroom of the elegant Renaissance Hotel in Boca Raton, Florida.  Metropolitan Philip’s presence, along with a 40-voice choir directed by Subdeacon Chuckie Shahadey inspired the lifting up of our hands, hearts, and souls.  At the conclusion of the Liturgy, several more members came forward from our mission community to be inducted into the Order of Saint Ignatius of Antioch—many years!  An incredible banquet and colorful program followed to another standing room only event. 

All are welcome to visit with us and experience, first-hand, the Holy Spirit at work here in Boca Raton, Florida!